Beatport splits its techno category into two distinct sounds

Beatport is expanding its techno categories on the download and streaming site to include more branches of the genre. Now, users will see two different types of techno available as charts, both artists and sales, in the form of Techno [Peak Time/Driving/Hard] and Techno [Raw/Deep/Hypnotic]. Beatport have created two playlists to highlight the sounds of each style, with the peak time playlist featuring artists like Thomas Schumacher and Matador and the raw and deep featuring Karenn and Ansome. Beatport say labels that "release more niche styles of techno struggle to be represented on the store, which is why we’re continually refining the way we categorise music."

It's a sign of the continued growth of techno as it morphs into a mainstage festival sound, as well as the more underground sound continuing to thrive. Beatport's LINK which was launched last year, allows DJs to stream their whole catalogue straight into their DJ software and selected hardware.